Last year, Microsoft announced the “End of Life” for Windows 7. This is the term that Microsoft uses to identify the period when the company will no longer support an operating system or application. As a result, as of Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will move on from Windows 7 and no longer patch security holes in the operating system. This means business and consumer users need to migrate their computer operating system from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
If you are behind the curve on this, RB’s Computer Service can help you. At the same time, RB’s Computer Service can help you get ahead of the curve in utilizing the Windows 10 app to sync between your smartphone and PC. Many additional features are still in a “testing phase,” but they will have an impact in terms of convenience.
Computing power on smartphones and pairing them with your PC provides new opportunities for businesses and 
consumers; namely, the ability to do work or conduct business regardless of what device you have access to.
There’s some confusion about what the “End of Life” for Windows 7 means. In this blog, I’ll address some of the common questions we get at RB’s Computer Service and share some of the new features being added to the Windows 10 app you will want to take advantage of.
Common Questions from Windows 7 Users
- Can I still use Windows 7 after January 14, 2020?
Yes, you can continue using Windows 7 after January 14, 2020. Windows 7 will continue to run as it is today. However, you should upgrade to Windows 10 because Microsoft will be discontinuing all technical support, software updates, security updates, and any other fixes after that date. Your computer will become less secure without any updates the longer you go without them.
- What will happen to Windows 7 after January 14, 2020?
Windows 7 won’t “shut off” so to speak, but without regular updates, Windows 7 will become vulnerable to security risks, viruses, hacking, and malware without any support. You may continue to get “End of Life” support notifications on your Windows 7 home screen after January 14. However, anyone still running Windows 7 Professional and/or Enterprise editions can purchase extended security updates through January 2023.
- Is Windows 10 better than Windows 7?
Yes. Windows 10 is a better operating system than Windows 7 and the expectation is it will be integrated with the devices (Smartphones and tablets) we use to access and save (the Cloud) programs and files such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, just to name a few. Also, Windows 7 is 10 years old, and can’t give your computer the security level needed now (Staff, sunriver®, Can I Use Windows 7 After January 14, 2020, or Do I Have to Upgrade to Windows 10?, January 1, 2020, https://www.sunriverit.com/can-i-use-windows-7-after-january-14-2020-or-do-i-have-to-upgrade-to-windows-10/).
Get Ahead of the Curve with Windows 10
Recently, Microsoft has been adding new features and functionality to the Windows 10 app for Android phones, such as the ability to transfer content from your Android phone to PC and/or vice versa. While these additions are still in the “testing phase,” they do provide a snapshot to the near future. As these features are rolled out for Android phones, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see similar functionality added to iPhones someday soon.
Currently, there are other ways to transfer or sync content between your phone and PC. However, having direct integration in your phone app would clearly be very convenient for users.
A Couple Convenient Features in Windows 10
• “Phone screen” capability which mirrors your smartphone display on your PC monitor, effectively allowing you to use your phone with the PC’s mouse and keyboard.
• Ability to make phone calls directly from your PC using your phone app, as well as texts (By Darren Allan, techradar., Windows 10 Your Phone app could get a nifty feature for swapping files between PC and phone, January 21, 2020, https://www.techradar.com/news/windows-10-your-phone-app-could-get-a-nifty-feature-for-swapping-files-between-PC-and-phone).
If you need help switching from Windows 7 to Windows 10, contact RB’s Computer Service via phone or email: 763-441-3884, help@rbsmn.com. In addition to updating to Windows 10, we also sell the best desktop and laptop computers. RB’s Computer Service can provide strategies and managed IT service agreements to help prevent Ransomware attacks as well.
We sell the best commercial-grade firewall routers, business computers, computer parts, computer monitors and provide computer repair. We also do iPhone repair, smartphone repair and tablet repairs to customers and clients throughout Central Minnesota and St. Cloud.